Love of Lodi moves mulch
Volunteers’ random act of kindness cleans Lodi park
A small, mysterious group of people could be seen distributing mulch at Roget Park in Lodi on Wednesday morning near two large piles of the ground cover that had been delivered to the park.
The group quietly enhancing the look of the park, located on Tienda Drive east of the Target shopping center, did not want to be identified. However, another trio, working farther up in the park, had decided to join in when they saw the hardworking volunteers spreading goodwill around the grounds.
Esmeralda Martins was taking her grandchildren to the park, which is criss-crossed with paved walking paths and shaded by large oak trees, to time them running. When her grandson, Alec Martins, 10, saw the rake-wielding good Samaritans, he asked if he could help. One of the older gentlemen handed Alec a rake, and off he went.
He found the raking to be tiring after a while, and his grandmother took over.
“We all put in a little effort,” Esmeralda said.
Lodi Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director Jeff Hood said the mulch was left over after the volunteers during the Love Lodi event on April 29 did not have enough time to spread it after filling 35 bags with weeds they pulled at the park that day. He appreciated the continued efforts of volunteers to finish the work needed at the park.
“We had residents contact us offering to distribute the mulch. We appreciate the residents’ offer to help step up. Obviously we weren’t able to get it done on Love Lodi day. This is a great follow-up service from these volunteers.”
As for the mysterious group starting the raking? They wanted to remain anonymous, but one of the gentleman said:
“It just needed to be done. It’s just our way of loving Lodi.”